Paper-napkin holder



Sept. 18, 1928.

- H. L. SAMSON PAPER NAPKIN HOLDER Filed March 14, 1927 mmmummmnmmmm IIHIH I I 1 1 v ATTORNEY.

I plate, and they may i atented 18, 1928 HENRY L. SAMSON, OF NEW YORK,.N. Y.

PAPEB-NAZPKIN HOLDER.

Application filed March .14, 1927. Serial No. 175,172.

Embodiments of my inventionhave particular utility in the dispensing of paper napkins, and belong generally to that class of dispensers which dispense folded and interleaved paper sheets from the bottom of a stack through a slot.

The paper articles which have been heretofore so dispensed have to a large extent been paper towels and toilet paper. In my copending application Serial No. 175,171, I have disclosed a way in which paper napkins may be so preparedand stacked as to permit ofsuch dispensing, a possibility theretofore not realized because of the delicate and flimsy character of the tissue of which paper napkins are composed.

The provision of a suitable dispenser of this type for paper napkins introduces problems quite distinct from those arising in connection with the other paper articles mentioned. Among the requirements which are more or less unique for the satisfactory dispensing paper napkins, is the fact that it is necessary that the dispenser be portable, that'it be equally accessible from both front and rear, that the center of gravity be so low that it will not easily tip over, that provision be made to prevent the napkin from being drawn sidewise through the slot which would be apt to resultin tearing the napkin, that the stack of napkins be protected and kept sanitary and clean and at the same time provision be male for easily and quickly replenishing the napkins in the dispenser; and, for certain special uses, the fact that it is desirable that the napkins be dispensed from the container in which they are packed and shipped.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided a dispenser which will satisfy these rcqirements. The slotted plate through wnich the napkins are drawn is supported in an elevated position by standards at the ends which leave the depending end of the napkin equall accessible from either side and also compel the user to draw the napkin out straight. The napkins are contained within four corner guides which extend up from the be protected either by a cover which goes over the outside of the guides or they may be retained within and dispensed from the cardboard container in which they are packed and which fits within the corner guides for the purpose. My invention, therefore, comprehends the provision of a special carton or container for the paper napkins which has an end slotted to correspond to the slot in the plate and to register therewith when the container is inserted in the guides with the slotted end down. Also my invention comprehends a weighted base plate connecting the bottoms of the standards to lower the center of gravity.

Other features which are comprehended within my invention will appear from the following description. I shall now describe the illustrated embodiments of my invention and shall thereafter point out my invention in claims.

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an'errd elevation thereof with the base sectioned on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a View corresponding to Figure 1 of a slightly different form;

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the same on line 4-t of Figure 3.

.The two illustrated forms of dispenser are the same in all essentials, the chief difference being that in the .case of the dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2 the napkins are in the cardboard container which is inserted in theupright guides, while in the dispenser of Figures 3 and i, the napkins :are placed loose in the guides and a cover tits over the outside of the guides. While I ordinarily make the two types with the slight differences which appear in the illustrations, including a small allowance in size to make room for the cardboard container, it is evident that a cover could readily be used over the first form, as is shown in Figure 3, and that the napkins with their container could as well be inserted in the second form of dispenser as in the first. In each case the sloted plate 1 is supported in an elevated position by the standards 2 and 3 which are secured to the opposite ends of the slotted plate. In the particular form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the standards 2 and 3 are integral with the cross plate 1, being formed from suitable sheet metal stock. In the form shown in Figures 3 and 1, the standards 2 and 3 are separate from the slotted plate, and the plate is shown as riveted to the standards. A base piece 4: of'heavy material connects the bottom ends of the standards 2 and 3, and a corresponding base piece 4 connects the bottom ends of the standards 2 and 3. This 'cross piece has sufficient weight to make the device stable. The device as shown, is provided with rubher feet 5. I

Extending up from the slotted plate 1 are the corner guides, above referred to. In the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 these are sheet metal channel-shaped members 6 and 7 which extend across the respective ends and'which are set in somewhat from the ends and sides of the slotted plate and are secured thereto oneend provided with a central transverse slot 8 which registers with the slot 1 in the V plate 1. In this position the end of the lowermost napkin 9 depends through the slots 8 and 1 and may readily be grasped from either side of the dispenser. The standards 2 and 3 are high enough to accommodate the hand easily underneath the plate, and at the same time these standards prevent the user from drawing the napkin out in any direction except at right angles to the line of the slot. In shipping, the slot in the container 8 will be sealed by a removable, adherent strip of paper.

Inthe form shown in Figures 3 and 4:, the upright guides 2 and 3 are integral extensions of the respective standards 2 and 3, being also of channel-shape and extending across theends. The napkins in this case are laid loose on the plate 1 within the guides 2' and 3, as indicated in Figure 4, with the end of the lowermost napkin 9 depending through the slot 1 A removable cover 10, closed at the upper end and open at the bottom end, fits over the guides 2 and 3 and extends somewhat below the slotted plate 1 so as to provide a tight covering for the napkins. Transparent windows are provided in pensers of paper napkins.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the constructions shown in the drawings and above particularly described and illustrated, within the principle and scope of my invention as expressed in the appended claims. 1

I claim:

1. Aportable dispenser for paper napkins comprising an elevated slotted plate horizontally supported by end standards with the slot freely accessible underneath the plate from both front and rear, upright corner guides on the plate open at'the top for receiving and retaining a quantity of napkins, N

and a cover slidablyfitting upon the guides and adapted in con unction with the plate to form a tight enclosure for the napkins.

2. A portable dispenser for paper napkins comprising an elevated slotted plate supported by end standards with the slot freely aceessible underneath the late from both front and rear, a weighted ase piece joining the bottoms of the standards, upright corner guideson the plate open at the top for receiving and retaining a quantity of napkins, and

a cover slidably fitting upon the guides and adapted in conjunction with the plate to form a tight enclosure for the napkins.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

HENRY SAMSON. 

